Lot Essay
According to Stephen Little, Realm of the Immortals, Daoism in the Arts of China, Cleveland, 1988, pp. 34-35, it was common for artists to paint Zhongkui's image at the lunar New Year as the auspicious image helped clear one's household of demons and other malign influences for the coming year.
The Five Poisons, the toad, lizard, scorpion, centipede and snake, are said to form an elixir that neutralizes evil. Here Zhong Kui and the Five Poisons are brought together to defeat evil.
The Five Poisons, the toad, lizard, scorpion, centipede and snake, are said to form an elixir that neutralizes evil. Here Zhong Kui and the Five Poisons are brought together to defeat evil.